Electric switch mechanism



Oct. 17, 1950 C, J, AMBRQSE 2,526,107

ELECTRIC SWITCH lMECHNISM ATT@ ABYv

Oct. 17,1950 c.J. AMBRosE 2,526,107

l ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Filed April 23, 1947 4 2 sheets-sheet 2 @Trag/ffy Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Cornell J. Ambrose, Wyandotte, Mich. Application April z3, 1947, serial No. 743,382

14`Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switch mechanisms, and refers particularly to a switch having an actuating arm to be moved by a passing trip or workpiece.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electric switch mechanism so constructed that bya quick and simple adjustment it may be rendered operative upon movement of an actuating arm in one direction or the other, and rendered inoperative when the arm is moved in the opposite direction. Thus if a trip is -arranged for reciprocal movement past the actuating arm movement of the latter in one direction only will operate the switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric switch mechanism which includes two removable stops so arranged that when both are in position the switch is operated by movement of the actuating arm in either direction; and when one stop is removed operation of the switch occurs only upon movement of the arm in one direction, or when the other stop is removed operation occurs upon movement of the arm in the opposite direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an electric switch mechanism wherein means are provided for permitting overtravel of the arm, so that should the latter be moved by the trip through a greater angle than that required to Voperate the switch this excess movement will not interfere with the proper functioning of the switch.

Another object of the invention is tovprovide such an electric switch mechanism wherein means are provided for returning the actuating arm to its initial position as soon as it is released by the trip, after movement by the latter in either direction.

H-aving thus briefly stated some of the objects and advantages of the invention I will now describe it in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

AFigure 1 is a View of the invention taken on the line I-I of Figure 3 showing it partly in plan and partly in horizontal section.

Figure 2'is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-8 of Figure 5,

and

Figure 7 is a view very similar to Figure 6 but I with one of the stops removed.

Referring to the drawings, I designates a casing having a base 2. Mounted on the latter in one extremity of the casing andy extending across Ythe entire width of the latter is a block 3 having a circular aperture 4 extending vertically therethrough. Formed vertically through the inner side of the block 3 and opening centrally into the casing isa slot 5 the center of which is radial to the axis of the aperture 4.

YMounted on the upper face of the block 3 and extending somewhat beyond the inner side of the latter is a plate 'I. A spindle 8, coaxial with the aperture 4, has its lower extremity rotatably supported in the base 2 and is rotatably mounted adjacent its upper extremity in the plate I through Which lit extends. Extending radially through the spindle 8 and projecting beyond both sides thereof intermediately of its height is a pin 9. Mounted for axial movement on the spindle beneath the pin 9 is a lower cam I8 which is upwardly urged by a helical spring I I of downwardly increasing diameter mounted around the said spindle. The lower extremity of the spring II rests Vupon the base 2 and `its upper extremity bears against the underside of the said cam I0. Projecting radially from the latter is a dog I2 which extends through the slot 5 and is permitted limited rotary movement therein. Also mounted around the spindle 8 but above the pin 9 is an upper cam I3 the bore of which is such that itis axially movable upon the outer periphery of the lower cam I0, and projecting radially from the said upper cam is a lug I4 which projects through and is axially movable in the slot 5. The upper cam I3 is downwardly urged by a helical spring I5 (weaker than the spring II) of downwardly increasing diameter mounted around the spindle 8. The upper extremity of the spring I5 rests against the underside of the plate 1 and its. lower extremity bears against the top of the cam I3, l

Formed in the adjacent faces of the cams III and I3 are diametrically opposed V-shaped cam faces I-6 and I1 respectively, the sides of which are contactedby the pin 9 and its spindle 8 are turned in either direction the cams I8 and I3 are moved outwardly against the tension of their springs II and l5. Extending vertically through the plate 1 inwardly of the block 3 and having their lower extremities in threaded engagement with tapped openings formed in the base 2 are two parallel stops I8 and I9 the spacing between the adjacent faces of which is the same as the width of the dog I2 which projects between them. Either of these stops I8 and I9 may be readily removed for a purPQ@ which is explained hereafter.

so that as the latter Mounted in the casing I is a conventional type of switch mechanism wherein a rocker 2| is pivoted on a pin 2G supported at its extremities by opposite sides of the casing. lIwo pair of spaced contacts 21 and 28, each pair being in horizontal alignment, are mounted in the casing at its extremity remote from the block 3 and are insulated therefrom. Suitable means are provided for moving a contact bar 25 into engagement with either pair of contacts 2? or 28 by movement of the rocker 2| in which intermediately of its height a recess 22 is formed in one extremity. The lug I2 normally extends into the recess 22 so that upon axial movement of the lower cam I 0 the rocker is moved about its a` is.

to actuate the switch mechanism. 6 denotes openings formed through opposite sides of the casing I through each of which two leads 27a and 28a extend and are connected to one of the contacts 2'I and 28 respectively.

In the present instance two arms 23 are pivoted on the pin 2G one on each side of the rocker 2|, and extending across and secured to both of the arms 23 is an insulating member 24 having the contact bar 25 secured thereto. Pivoted on the extremity of the rocker 2| remote from the recess 22 and about an axis parallel with the pin 20 is a head 23 having a rod 30 integral therewith. 3i denotes a bearing having aligned` pins 32 which are integral therewith and project from opposite sides thereof. Each of these pins 32 is rotatably mounted in one of the arms 23. The rod 30 is axially movable through the bearing 3| and mounted around the said rod is a helical spring 33 one extremity of which bears against the head 29 while the opposite extremity thereof rests against the bearing 3 I. Normallv the rocker 2| is retained by the lug I2 in the position shown in Figure 2 when the axis of the head 29 is beneath an imaginary line extending between the pins 2u and 3|; then the contact bar 25 is in engagement with the upper contacts 21. If the lug I2 is depressed without any rotary movement being rst imparted to the cam I IJ the rocker 2l is turned about its axis 2G and the axis of the head 2S is raised above the aforesaid imaginary line so that the tension of the spring 33 moves the bearing 3| downward and causes the contact bar 25 to engage the lower contacts 28 as shown in Figure 5. The lower edge face of the rocker 2| from opposite extremities is provided with two contact portions 2Ia and 2| b angularly disposed to one another, either of these portions is adapted to contact the base 2 and limit the pivotal movement of the rocker in one direction. It will also te noted that the length of the dog I 2 is such that when the rocker 2| has moved to the position shown in Figure 5 the said dog is disengaged from the recess 22 and is free to travel farther downward, thereby oerrnitting Yovertravel of the dog in the event that excessive rotary movement is imparted to the spindle 8 and cam Ii).

If both the stops I8 and I9 are in position, ro-

tation ofthe spindle 8, and therefore rotation of the pin 9 about the spindle axis, imparts only axial movement to the cam IIl sin-ce any rotary movement of the latter is rrevented bv engagment of opposite sides of the dog I2 by the stops I8 and I9; and incidentally rotation of the upper cam. I3- is prevented at all times by engagement of the lug I 4 with opposite sides of the slot 5. Thus rotation of the spindle a in either direction when both stops I8 and I9 are in position imparts movement to the rocker 2|? through the dos I2 which exerts downward pressure against the underside of the recess 22 and moves the rocker downwardly. However if one of the stops, say the stop I9, is removed, then upon rotation of the spindle 8 in one direction the pin 9 first turns the lower cam itl until its dog I2 contacts one side of the slot 5, by which time the dog is released from the recess 22, after that continued rotary movement of the spindle causes downward axial movement of the cam ID against the tension of the spring I I. Thus the dog lmoves along a path diagrammatically indicated by the line A in Figure 7; that is the cam rst turns because the Vpressure of the spring I I is stronger than that of the spring I5, and after release of the dog from the recess and after contact of the dog with one side of the slot 5 continued rotation of the spindle 8 results in downward axial movement of the dog I2. Obviously the stop I8 or IQ must be removed on the side toward which the dog is to be turned if rotation of the spindle in that direction is to impart no movement to the rocker 2|.

The cam I e and dog I 2 are forced upwardly by the spring II which is stronger than the spring I5, so that after only axial movement of the cam Il! the spring II returns the cam and spindle to their initial positions. However if the cam IIJ has been rota'ed .pressure exerted by the spring I5 through the cam I3 upon the pin 9 is necessary to turn the spindle 8, and With it the -cam I 0 back to their initial positions.

The spindle 8 is turned in the present instance in the following manner. Mounted for rotation on the spindle 8 above the plate 'I is an arm 4i] having a roller 4I rotatably supported on and projecting from its outer extremity. Secured around the upper extremity of the spindle 8 for rotation therewith is a disc 42 having a plurality of indentations 43 formed around its periphery. In threaded engagement with the arm 40 intermediately of its length and having a portion of its periphery in engagement with one of the indentations 43 is a screw 44. When the latter is removed the arm 4i! may be turned to any desred rotary position relative to the casing I for the roller 4I to be contacted by suitable tripping means (not shown) by which the switch is to be actuated.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described'and sho-wn it is understood that alterations and modifications may be made thereto provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A switch mechanism including a casing, a spindle rotatably mounted therein, means for turning the spindle, a, rocker pivoted in the casing, a cam mounted on the spindle for axial and rotary movement, means on the spindle for moving the cam either axially or rotatably upon movement of the spindle, means on the cam for engaging the rocker and moving the latter upon axial movement jof the cam, said means being adapted to disengage the rocker upon rotary movement of the cam, removable means in the casing for preventing rotary movement of the cam, means for returning the cam and spindle after axial movement of the cam, other means for returning the cam and spindle after rotary movement of the cam, contacts in the casing, and a contact bar for connecting the contacts mounted for movement by the rocker.

2. The combination in claim l, wherein the means Aon, the cam for moving the rocker releases the vlatter upon completion of the rocker movelment Ain one direction to permit free overtravel of the cam.

3. A Vswitch mechanism lncluding a casing, a "spindle rotatably mounted therein, means forY `for engaging the rocker and moving the latter upon axial movement ofsaid cam, said means vbeing disengaged from the rocker by rotary move- -ment of the cam, removable stops each to prevent rotary movement of the cam in one direction whereby removal of one stop permits rotary movement of the cam in one direction upon rotation of the spindle, said cam then first moving rotarily to disengage the rocker and then moving axially after disengagement, means for limiting the rotary movement of the cam, means for returningthe cam and spindle to their original positions after rotary movement of the cam, contacts in the casing, and a contact bar for connecting the contacts mounted for movement by the rocker.

, =4.,A switch mechanism including a casing, a

spindle rotatably mounted therein, means for turning the spindle, a rocker pivoted in the casing, a cam mounted on the spindle for rotary and, axial movement having opposed V-shaped slots formed in one extremity, a pin extending from the spindle into the slots to move the cam, spring means urging the cam against the pin and resisting axial movement of the cam in one direction, means on the ca m for engaging the rocker and moving the latter upon axial movement of the cam, said means disengaging the rocker upon rotary movement of the cam, removable stops each to prevent rotary movement of the cam in one direction whereby removal of one stop permits rotary movement of the cam in one direction, said cam then rst moving rotatably and disengaging the rocker and then moving axially after disengagement therefrom, other means for limiting the rotary movement of the cam, means for returning the cam and spindle to their intial positions after rotary movement of the cam, contacts on the casing, and a contact bar for connecting the contacts mounted for movement by the rocker.

5. -A switch mechanism including a casing, a spindle rotatably mounted thereon, means for turning the spindle, a cam mountedon the spindle for axial and rotary movement, means on the spindle for moving the cam either axially or rotatably upon movement of said spindle, a rocker pivoted in the casing having an open-ended slot therein, a dog projecting from the cam to engage said slot whereby axial movement of the cam moves the rocker and rotary movement of the cam disengages the dog from the slot, removable means for preventing rotary movement of the cam,` other meansfor limiting the rotary movement of the cam, spring means for retaining the cam in contact with the meanson the spindle for moving said cam, said spring means being also adapted to return both the cam and spindle to their initial positions after axial movement oi the cam, other means for returning the cam and spindle after rotary movement of the cam, contacts in the casing, and a, contact bar for conspindle, spring meansV nesting the contacts mounted for movement by the rocker.

6. The combination in claim 5, wherein the dog and open-ended slot are so arranged that upon completion of movement of the rocker in one direction the dog releases the latter thereby permitting overtravel of the dog.

'7. A switch mechanism .including a casing, a spindle rotatably mounted therein, means for turning the spindle, a rocker pivoted in the casing, a cam mounted on the spindle for axial and rotary movement, means on the spindle for moving the cam either axially or rotatably upon movement of the spindle, means on the cam for engaging the rocker and moving the` latter upon axial Vmovement of the cam, said means being adapted to disengage the rocker upon rotary movement of the cam', a removable stop for preventing rotary movement of the cam in each direction, spring means for returning the cam and spindle'to their initial positions after axial movement of the cam, a second cam on the spindle, means holding the second cam against rotation, spring means holding the second cam in Contact withthe means on turning the first cam and for returning the spindle and rst cam to their initial positions after rotary movement of said iirst cam.

8. In a switch mechanism the combination of a casing having a rocker pivoted therein, contacts in the casing, a contact bar for connecting the y contacts mounted for movement by the rocker, a spindle rotatable in the casing, a cam mounted on the spindle for rotary and axial movement, mea-ns on the cam for engaging the'rooker and moving the latter when the cam is moved axially and releasing the rocker when the cam is turned, means on the spindle for imparting axial or rotary movement to the cam when the spindle is turned, and removable means preventing rotary movement of the cam.

' 9. A switch mechanism including a casing having a spindle rotatablymountedv therein, a pin extending through'the spindle intermediately of its length, a cam mounted for rotary and axial movement on the spindle, a second cam mounted for axial movement around the first cam, means holding the second cam against rotation when the first cam turns, the adjacent overlapping faces of the cams each having opposed V-slots formed therein, said pin engaging sides of the slots in both cams, spring means retaining each camA in contact with said pin, a dog 'projecting' from the first cam, means limiting the rotary movement of the first cam, removable stops each preventing rotary movement of said rst cam in one direction, a rocker pivoted in the casing having a recess therein normally engaged by said dog whereby axial movement of the first cam moves the rocker, and said dog being adapted to disengage said recess upon rotary movement of its cam after removal of one of said stops, said spring means cooperating to return the spindle and cams to their initial positions after axial or rotary movement or both of said rstcam, and

to return the rocker to its initial position, contacts in the casing, and a contact bar to connect the contacts mounted for movement by the rocker.

l0. A switch' mechanism including a casing, a block therein having an opening therethrough, a spindle rotatably mounted in the casing and extending through the opening, a cam vmounted around the spindle in the opening, means on the spindle for moving the cam axially and rotarily when the spindle is turned, said block being radithe spindle for Y Aatraen-o7' Y7 ally gslotted, a. dog projecting from vthe `cam through the slot, said slot permitting limited rotary movement of said dog and cam, a removable stop preventing rotation of the cam in each direction, a rocker pivoted in the casing, said dog being adapted to move the rocker when the cam is moved axially and to release the rocker when the cam is moved rota-rily after removal of one of ithe'stops, means for returning the cam axially to its initial position, other means for moving .the cam back to its initial rotary position, contacts in the casing, and a contact bar to connect the contacts mounted for movement by the rocker.

11. A switch mechanism including a casing, a spindle mounted for rotation therein, a cam mounted for either rotary or axial movement on the spindle, means on the spindle for imparting movement to the cam when said spindle is turned, separate removable stop means each to prevent rotary movement of the cam in one direction, means tending to prevent axial movement of the cam ywhen the latter is turned in either direction -whereby the cam moves rotatably unless the stop meanswhich prevents its rotation in that direction-is in place, a pivoted rocker, coacting means on the cam and rocker for imparting movement to the latter when the former is moved axially, a contact baradapted to close a circuit, and means actuated by movement of the rocker for moving the contact bar.

12. A switch mechanism including a spindle mounted for rotation, a rocker pivoted about an axis at right angles to that of the spindle, a contact bar, means for moving the latter by movement of the rocker, a cam mounted for axial movement on the spindle, means on the spindle for moving the cam, coacting means on the cam and rocker for moving the latter upon axial movement of the cam, and yielding means tending 'to retard axial movement of the cam.

13. The combination in claim 12, wherein the cam is mounted for both rotary and axial movement on the spindle, and removable stop means which when in position prevent rotation of the cam so that the latter must move axially.

14. A switch mechanism including a casing, a spindle mounted for rotation therein, a cam mounted for movement upon the spindle, means on the spindle for imparting either rotary or axial movement to the cam when the spindle is turned, removable stop means for preventing rotary movement of the cam, a pivoted rocker, coacting means on the rocker and cam for `imparting movement to the former when the latter is moved axially, said coacting means disengaging upon rotary movement of the cam, means tending to prevent axial movement of the cam so that rotary movement thereof results when the stop means are removed, a contact bar adapted to close a circuit, and means actuated by movement of the rocker for moving the contact bar.

CORNELL J. AlVLBROSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,322,545 Crane Nov. 25, 1919 1,601,346 Callahan Sept. 28, 1926 2,328,266 Durbin Aug. 31, 1943 2,394,215 Stephenson 1 Feb. 5, 1946 

